Pet Problems Solved – Fostering Is The Go – April is ‘Adopt-a-Greyhound Month’

Dr Jo Righetti covered fostering on her blog for April is ‘Adopt-a-Greyhound-Month’

Fostering is the go – April is ‘Adopt-a-Greyhound Month’

Most people don’t know they can foster a greyhound to see if it’s a good match for their lifestyle, which means there’s still time to take advantage of April’s Adopt-a-Greyhound Month.

There are many different reasons people choose to foster:

some want to help greyhounds escape kennel life,

some have lost a treasured pet and don’t yet feel able to replace it.

Many greyhound rescue groups use fostering as a way to introduce their hounds to a home environment, before they are placed in their permanent home. Some groups don’t have kennels, so use fostering instead.

What fostering Greyhounds involves

One Sydney charity, Greyhound Rescue (GR), pays the full cost of necessary vet bills while a dog is in foster, while carers cover food, shelter and routine sundries. GR also supplies muzzle, coat, collar and lead. The only thing you’ll need to pay for is food, as well as flea and worm treatment for your foster greyhound.

How long a hound stays with foster carers depends on the number of adoption applications received by Greyhound Rescue, but foster carers should be prepared to accommodate a dog for at least six months.

If you’re interested in fostering, it’s important to know that in addition to food, shelter and love, foster greyhounds also need basic training. You’ll also be required to meet and greet potential adopters when the time comes.

Some people worry about getting attached to their foster dogs. While foster carers can always adopt, they find ongoing satisfaction in seeing their foster dogs settle into forever homes. In fact, as a carer, you become a bridge between the racing world and a loving, permanent home.

Intending foster carers don’t need to worry about the type of dog they’ll get to foster – most rescue groups are keen to ensure a happy match. Greyhound Rescue likes to match carers with dogs who’ve been waiting the longest in its Sydney kennels but also ensure compatibility with your household and other pets.

Meet a Greyhound Foster Carer

Believe it or not, there is one veteran foster carer with GR – Ada Prosperi – who has fostered more than 20 greyhounds over the last four years!

Ada said most dogs she has fostered have been with her for two to four months before they are adopted.

“Watching your foster dog go to their new home without even a second glance back at you means you have found them the perfect forever home – a very rewarding experience. And then you do it all again,” she said.

“Toilet training is a cinch. Greyhounds are very clean dogs and of the dogs I have fostered, I’ve only needed to toilet train one. Perfect. Greyhounds are quite unlike most other dog breeds. They practically have no doggie smell, shed very little hair and rarely bark.”

Ada said it is very rewarding bringing home a new foster and watching the dog embrace life as a pet.

“The greyhounds I’ve fostered have never lived in a home environment, but most of them adapt very quickly and happily. They discover very quickly how comfortable the couch is,” she said.

“Taking them out to local cafes or events to socialise with the public is always good, as members of the public like to meet greyhounds. They always comment they didn’t realise greyhounds were so affectionate and laidback.”

“The fact they only require a 20 minute walk each day shows just how easy they are to live with. Like most dogs, they enjoy more if time permits. ”

GR’s greyhounds are only $250 each during April, if people want to adopt rather than foster. The usual cost is $350. This small fee is usually required by most greyhound groups, as it goes towards the costs of a full health check, de-sexing, dental work and vaccinations for each dog. Also, it’s always the case that a few hounds will need extensive medical help.

Other ways to help

If you can’t adopt or foster, there are other ways to help. For example, Greyhound Rescue always needs sponsors for its dogs in kennels while they wait for placement.

To sponsor, you take a look at the dogs available, choose a hound and decide on an ongoing amount you’d like to sponsor them for (minimum $10 per week). Those that don’t have sponsors yet, have a ‘Please sponsor me’ note on their profile.

Once you’ve made your choice, email the volunteer sponsor coordinator sponsor@greyhoundrescue.com.au – with the name of the hound you’d like to help, plus your ongoing sponsorship amount.

Sponsors are kept up-to-date with their dog by regular updates on their progress and recognition of their sponsorship on the hound’s website profile.